User:Nk3play2/Carly Corinthos

Caroline Leigh "Carly" Corinthos is fictional character from ABC Daytime soap opera, General Hospital. The role was originated by Sarah Brown from 1996 to 2001. Brown was then replaced by Tamara Braun who vacated the role in 2005. Braun was replaced by a short lived recast before Laura Wright assumed the role in the fall of 2005.

Created by co-writers, Robert Guza, Jr., Karen Harris, Patrick Mulcahey and Claire Labine, Carly is a "love to hate" character who constantly brings excitement to storylines because of her devious ways. Carly is the illegitimate daughter of reformed bad girl, Bobbie Spencer given up during Bobbie's time as a teenage prostitute. Since the character's 1996 introduction, Carly has become one of the show's most prominent, vital, and popular characters largely due to her romantic pairing with Sonny Corinthos, and her friendship with Jason Morgan. Carly's destruction of Bobbie's marriage and her near lethal vendetta against A.J. Quartermaine, biological father of her son, Michael remains two of the most revered, controversial and discussed story arcs in the show's history.

Soaps In Depth hailed the character as "the hellcat viewers loved to hate as well as the underdog they couldn't help but love." By the time of Brown's departure, the once "duplicitous vixen" had developed into a "woman who would do positively anything to protect her child and the man she loves." Carly's "shady" agenda upon her introduction is reminiscent of Bobbie's days as a schemer in the late 1970s.

Creation
According to Brown, the variety of actresses that auditioned for the role proved that there was not any set direction for the character. Brown revealed that she spent the first few months of her tenure creating backstory and reasons for Carly's actions. In 1999, writer Patrick Mulcahey noted that the character of Carly had been somewhat of a work in progress at first. "Worse yet, we the writers didn't really know what Carly was supposed to be," he said. "That may sound like a horrifying confession, but in daytime, a successful character is always a collaboration between the writers and the actor." Mulcahey said the writers discussed who they felt Carly, as a character, is and that "the actor finds certain other decisions have to be made and makes them, sparks fly between the actor and another actor, we see what's happening on-screen and start playing around with it in the writing- that's how a character takes shape". He further stated: "Carly was different. We were afraid of her. I started [on the show] right around the time Sarah did, but it's my understanding that there was quite a hullabaloo about Carly before she was ever cast. I was told a writer (the one I think I replaced) had even quit over it. The issue was this: Carly was coming to Port Charles for the purpose of haunting Bobbie and making her life miserable, out of supposed anger at having been 'abandoned' by her. But of course, she wasn't abandoned, she was given up for adoption, and the network and producers were rightly concerned that we might be 'sending the message' (that phrase that soap writers dread) either that adopted children were hateful and full of rage, or that their adoptive parents were neglectful or otherwise inadequate enough to instill this smoldering resentment of being adopted in their kids... I need not go on. The pitfalls are obvious, and I imagine Bob [Guza, the headwriter] promised Wendy [Riche, the executive producer] and ABC that we had no intention of falling into them."

Background
The character is born on November 5, 1973 in Jacksonville, Florida to a 16 year old Bobbie (Jacklyn Zeman) and immediately adopted by Frank and Virginia Benson (Lois Nettleton) as Caroline Leigh Benson in Pensacola, Florida. Virginia works so much that Carly barely has a chance to develop a relationship with her. According to Brown, Virginia is always a bit cold and bitter toward Carly. As a teen, is best friends with Charlotte "Carly" Roberts (Kari Wührer). Dan Roberts, Carly's father seduces a young teenage Caroline into sleeping with him and Carly's parents end up divorcing destroying their friendship. In addition to being abandoned by her father, she also loses her best friend at a very young age when Carly is killed in a car crash. After discovering her true heritage, Caroline comes to town in order to get revenge on her biological mother, for giving her away.

Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown known for her appearance in the children's series VR Troopers auditioned for the role of Carly in early 1996 opposite Steve Burton who played Jason. Brown won the role out of seven other actresses including Burton's real-life girlfriend. Despite her own reservations, Brown officially booked the role on February 18, 1996, her 21st birthday.

In early 1998, it was reported that Brown was expecting her first child and would go on maternity leave. Brown left the canvas on July 6, 1998 and returned on October 26, 1998. In September 1999, Brown told Soaps In Depth that she was contemplating renewing her contract so she could audition for a pilot and her departue was announced in January 2000. Brown's contract was set to expire on March 12, but she agreed to stay for another after the producers agreed to work around her schedule. In December 2000, Brown announced that she wanted to move beyond GH and the producers were considering recasting the role. Robin Christopher (Skye Chandler on All My Children), and Gina Tognoni (Kelly Cramer on One Life to Live) were considered if Brown chose not to renew her contract. At the same time, the series was also suffering from the departures of several lead actors including Burton, and Jonathan Jackson. Brown immediately denied rumors that a dispute with executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps led to her ousting. Brown filmed her last scenes in early April, which aired on April 24, 2001.

Brown revealed that she made a conscious effort to slow the "frenzied style" of acting she had become accustomed to on VR Troopers. Carly is anything but "downtrodden." "She's a survivor," Brown said of her character. Brown's Carly is not evil, but she does what she thinks is necessary for her own survival; Carly always feels as if she has to fight for survival. Nothing has ever been handed to her, so Carly has to take what she wants. Brown said she identified with Carly because they both grow up feeling like outsiders. Carly believes manipulation is the only way to get what she wants. Though she can be a bit hot headed, and slutty, she is very "misunderstood" Brown said. Carly is still very human. Carly is not afraid to speak her mind and has no problem speaking up for herself. However, she makes no qualms about speaking her mind or standing up for herself. According to Brown, "[Carly] is so insecure that people don't know whether to hate her or feel sorry for her!"

Tamara Braun
http://tamara-braun.com/press/

It was announced that Tamara Braun would replace Braun and would begin airing on May 2, 2001. Some initially speculated that Braun would portray the character until the show could right her out properly, but Braun was put on contract. According to Phelps, recasting was an option, but it was easier said then done. Phelps told the New York Post that she didn't want to recast, but due to Carly becoming such a vital part of the canvas, it was needed. Braun had previously appeared on Party of Five and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The brunette Braun even colored her hair blonde. Braun auditioned four times opposite Maurice Benard before getting the job. The daytime newcomer admitted that she was nervous about replacing such a popular actress, but welcomed the challenge. Braun initially did not know what role she had auditioned for. Braun immediately began doing her character research.

Revenge on Bobbie (1996–98)
Caroline comes to Port Charles under the alias Carly Roberts and enrolls in the nuring program in an attempt to impress Bobbie. As the writers slowly reveal the character's identity, she befriends Bobbie's husband, Dr. Tony Jones (Brad Maule). However, Carly's hopes of sharing a happy reunion with Bobbie are dashed when she begins sleeping with Tony. From Carly's perspective, the affair is Bobbie's fault for abandoning her. Though she and Bobbie initially start to grow closer, when Bobbie rejects her, Carly sets her sights on Tony and their son, Lucas (Justin Cooper). Carly wants from Bobbie what she didn't get from Virginia; according to Brown, her uncle Luke says it best, "[Virginia] gave [Carly] a backyard and a yearbook." The affair quickly and effectively dismantles the Jones' marriage, but Brown maintained that those were not her intentions. After Bobbie shuts her out, Carly goes on the defensive. However, she unexpectedly falls for Tony and is very reluctant to face those feelings. Tony becomes the center of Carly's life and she knows he is only with her because her schemes have not been exposed. Meanwhile, "[Luke] sees some of the Spencer blood running through her, and that excites him," said Brown; which is why he keeps her secret. Brown revealed that starting in the spring of 1997, several factors would threaten Carly's happiness. When Carly is afraid, she makes impulsive self destructive decisions. After a fight with Tony, Carly has a one-night-stand, A.J. Quartermaine (Sean Kanan). This destructive behavior stems from her pain and fear of being abandoned. Brown said the character is not written for viewers to feel sorry for her, but because we know her motivations, it is more intriguing.

Carly Corinthos (1998–2005)
In April 2002, when Braun took leave due to a private family matter, Carly was written out and presumed on April 23, 2002 after her car goes over a cliff.

Storylines
Upon her 1996 arrival, Carly destroys Bobbie's marriage by seducing her husband, Dr. Tony Jones. She also has a one-night-stand with Jason Morgan which develops into a life long friendship. Carly later conceives and gives birth to son Michael, after a one-night-stand with the alcoholic A.J. Quartermaine (Sean Kanan). Tony kidnaps Michael, and after he beats the charges, Carly shoots him is forced into a mental hospital. Carly marries A.J. (Billy Warlock) in 1999 while plotting a future with Jason. However, when Jason doesn't reciprocate her feelings, Carly falls into bed with his best friend, Sonny, and after obtaining a divorce from A.J. and losing her unborn child, she and Sonny marry. Carly and Sonny remarry twice in 2002, and 2007, and welcome another son, Morgan in 2003; Sonny also legally adopts Michael (Dylan Cash). In the meantime, Carly meets her biological father, John Durant (Corbin Bernsen). Carly later marries Jasper Jacks (Ingo Rademacher), ex-husband of her late best friend, Courtney Matthews (Alicia Leigh Willis). In 2008, after Carly suffers a miscarriage, Michael ends up comatose due to a batched hit on Sonny. She then seduces Sonny into signing away his parental rights. In turn, Jax has an affair with Kate Howard (Megan Ward). The couple reconciles and as they learn they're expecting, Michael (Drew Garrett) awakens from his coma. Because the pregnancy is very high risk, the unpredictable Michael is sent to live with the Quartermaines. Carly gives birth with the help of Claudia Zacchara (Sarah Brown) who has kidnapped her at gunpoint. Michael finds Claudia trying to steal his newborn sister, Josslyn and accidentally kills her. After Sonny's illegitimate son, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) exposes their cover up, Michael is sent to prison.

General
While some fans hated the character, and even resorted to public attacks against Brown, majority of fans liked the character despite her bad behavior. The popularity made Brown one of the most popular leading ladies of the 1990s and TV Guide said Brown was one of the best hires of 1996. Brown was hailed as an "overnight sensation" and received three Daytime Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Carly. She won for Outstanding Younger Actress in 1997 and 1998, was nominated in 1999, and won again for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2000. Brown appeared on the cover of Soap Opera Digest 19 times during her run in the role, and won two Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1998 (Younger Lead Actress) and 2000 (Favorite Actress). Casting Brown was described as "one of the best decisions that GH ever made." By the time of Brown's departure in 2001, she had "solidified her place in soap history." Brown was also praised by Catherine Hickland of One Life to Live for her work during a fan event.

Recast
Fans were immediately outraged by the decision to recast and many blamed then executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps for Brown's departure.

Romances
Sonny and Carly was an immediate hit with fans.